Image processing apparatus, ultrasonic apparatus including the same and method of controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A medical image processing apparatus includes a weight applier configured to, when a difference between a first imaginary component of a first frame image and a second imaginary component of a second frame image, the second frame image being adjacent to the first frame image, is less than or equal to a first threshold value, apply a first weight to the second imaginary component to increase the difference; and an image generator configured to generate a movement-amplified image based on the first frame image and the second frame image to which the first weight is applied so that a movement of interest corresponding to the increased difference is amplified.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/996,473 filed on Jan. 15, 2016 which claims benefit from KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2015-0011912, filed on Jan. 26, 2015 in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Exemplary embodiments relate to an image processing apparatus whichprocesses an image signal to an image, and an ultrasonic apparatusincluding the same and a method of controlling the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

Ultrasonic apparatuses may be apparatuses that radiate ultrasonic wavestoward a specific region inside a body from a surface of the body of anobject and each obtain an image of a section of a soft tissue or bloodflow using information of reflected echo ultrasonic waves in anoninvasive manner.

The ultrasonic apparatuses may be advantageous in that it they aresmall, cheap, can display an image of the object in real time, and havehigh safety having no exposure of X-rays. Due to these advantages, theultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses are being widely used for heart,breast, abdomen, urinary organ, and obstetrics diagnoses.

A doctor may diagnose a patient based on the ultrasonic image displayedon the ultrasonic apparatus. In this case, fine movement of the internalorgan or lesion of the patient displayed in the ultrasonic image may beutilized as an important factor in diagnosing the condition of thepatient.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the exemplary embodiments to provide animage processing apparatus which generates an image in which finemovement of an object is amplified, and an ultrasonic apparatusincluding the same and a method of controlling the same.

Additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the exemplaryembodiments.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a medical imageprocessing apparatus includes a weight applier configured to, when adifference between a first imaginary component of a first frame imageand a second imaginary component of a second frame image, the secondframe image being adjacent to the first frame image, is less than orequal to a first threshold value, apply a first weight to the secondimaginary component to increase the difference; and an image generatorconfigured to generate a movement-amplified image based on the firstframe image and the second frame image to which the first weight isapplied so that a movement of interest corresponding to the increaseddifference is amplified.

The difference may include a difference between a first imaginarycomponent of a first pixel at a first location on the first frame image,and a second imaginary component of a second pixel at a second locationon the second frame image, wherein the first location may correspondwith the second location.

The weight applier may be configured to apply the first weight to thesecond imaginary component of the second pixel if the difference is lessthan or equal to the first threshold value.

The medical image processing apparatus may further include anon-periodic region determiner configured to determine a pixel having animaginary component which is non-periodically changed for apredetermined time as a non-periodic region, in an input image in whicha plurality of frame images including the first frame image and thesecond frame image are sequentially disposed.

The non-periodic region may correspond to a first non-periodic region inthe first frame image and a second non-periodic region in the secondframe image, and when a difference between the first imaginary componentin the first non-periodic region and the second imaginary component inthe second non-periodic region is less than or equal to the firstthreshold value, the weight applier may be configured to apply the firstweight to the second imaginary component in the second non-periodicregion.

The weight applier may be configured to apply a second weight to thesecond imaginary component when the difference is greater than or equalto a second threshold value to decrease the difference; and the imagegenerator may be configured to generate the movement-amplified imagebased on the first frame image and the second frame image to which thesecond weight is applied, so that a movement of non-interestcorresponding to the decreased difference is reduced

The difference may include a difference between the first imaginarycomponent of a first pixel at a first location on the first frame image,and the second imaginary component of a second pixel at a secondlocation on the second frame image, wherein the first location maycorrespond with the second location.

The weight applier may be configured to apply the second weight to thesecond imaginary component of the second pixel if the difference isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value.

The medical image processing apparatus may further include a periodicregion determiner configured to determine a pixel having an imaginarycomponent which is periodically changed for a predetermined time as aperiodic region, in an input image in which a plurality of frame imagesincluding the first frame image and the second frame image aresequentially disposed.

The periodic region may correspond to a first periodic region in thefirst frame image and a second periodic region in the second frameimage, and when the difference may include a difference between thefirst imaginary component in the first periodic region and the secondimaginary component in the second periodic region, and the difference isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value, the weight appliermay be configured to apply the second weight to the second imaginarycomponent in the second periodic region.

The medical image processing apparatus may further include a samplerconfigured to sample the first imaginary component of the first frameimage and the second imaginary component of the second frame imageaccording to a predetermined sampling rate.

When a difference between the sampled first imaginary component and thesampled second imaginary component is less than or equal to the firstthreshold value, the weight applier may be configured to apply a thirdweight corresponding to the sampling rate to the sampled secondimaginary component to increase the difference.

The image generator may be configured to generate the movement-amplifiedimage using the first frame image, the second frame image to which thefirst weight is applied, the sampled first frame image, and the sampledsecond frame image to which the third weight is applied.

According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a medicalultrasonic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe configured to collectultrasonic echo signals reflected from an object; an image processingapparatus configured to generate an ultrasonic image based on thecollected ultrasonic echo signals, increase a difference betweenadjacent frame images included in the ultrasonic image, and generate amovement-amplified image in which movement of interest is amplified; anda display configured to display the movement-amplified image.

When a difference between imaginary components of the adjacent frameimages included in the ultrasonic image is less than or equal to a firstthreshold value, the image processing apparatus may be configured toincrease the difference and generate the movement-amplified image.

The image processing apparatus may include a weight applier configuredto, when the difference includes a difference between a first imaginarycomponent of a first frame image and a second imaginary component of asecond frame image adjacent to the first frame image in the ultrasonicimage, and the difference is less than or equal to a first thresholdvalue, apply a first weight to the second imaginary component toincrease the difference; and an image generator configured to generatethe movement-amplified image based on the first frame image and thesecond frame image to which the first weight is applied so that amovement of interest corresponding to the increased difference isamplified.

The difference may include a difference between a first imaginarycomponent of a first pixel at a first location of the first frame imageand a second imaginary component of a second pixel at a second locationof the second frame image, wherein the first location may correspond tothe second location.

The weight applier may be configured to apply the first weight to thesecond imaginary component of the second pixel if the difference is lessthan or equal to the first threshold value.

The medical ultrasonic apparatus may further include a non-periodicregion determiner configured to determine a pixel in which the imaginarycomponent is non-periodically changed for a predetermined time as anon-periodic region, in the ultrasonic image.

The non-periodic region may correspond to a first non-periodic region inthe first frame image and a second non-periodic region in the secondframe image, when a difference between the first imaginary component inthe first non-periodic region and the second imaginary component in thesecond non-periodic region is less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue, the weight applier may be configured to apply the first weight tothe second imaginary component in the second non-periodic region.

The weight applier may be configured to apply a second weight to thesecond imaginary component when the difference is greater than or equalto a second threshold value to decrease the difference; and the imagegenerator may be configured to generate the movement-amplified imagebased on the first frame image and the second frame image to which thesecond weight is applied so that the movement of non-interestcorresponding to the decreased difference is reduced.

The difference may include a difference between a first imaginarycomponent of a first pixel at a first location on the first frame image,and a second imaginary component of a first pixel at a first location onthe first frame image, wherein the first location may correspond withthe second location.

The weight applier may be configured to apply the second weight to thesecond imaginary component of the second pixel if the difference isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value.

The medical ultrasonic apparatus may further include a periodic regiondeterminer configured to determine a pixel in which the imaginarycomponent is periodically changed for a predetermined time as a periodicregion, in the ultrasonic image.

The periodic region may correspond to a first periodic region in thefirst frame image and a second periodic region in the second frameimage, when the difference may include a difference between a firstimaginary component in the first periodic region and a second imaginarycomponent in the second periodic region, and the difference is greaterthan or equal to the second threshold value, the weight applier appliesthe second weight to the second imaginary component in the secondperiodic region.

The medical ultrasonic apparatus may further include a samplerconfigured to sample the first imaginary component of the first frameimage and the second imaginary component of the second frame imageaccording to a predetermined sampling rate.

When a difference between the sampled first imaginary component and thesampled second imaginary component is less than or equal to the firstthreshold value, the weight applier may be configured to apply a thirdweight corresponding to the sampling rate to the sampled secondimaginary component to increase the difference.

The image generator may be configured to generate the movement-amplifiedimage using the first frame image, the second frame image to which thefirst weight is applied, the sampled first frame image, and the sampledsecond frame image to which the third weight is applied.

According to yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a method ofcontrolling a medical ultrasonic apparatus includes receiving ultrasonicecho signals reflected from an object; generating an ultrasonic imagebased on the received ultrasonic echo signals; increasing a differencebetween adjacent frame images included in the ultrasonic image andgenerating a movement-amplified image in which movement of interest isamplified; and displaying the movement-amplified image.

When the difference includes a difference between imaginary componentsof the adjacent frame images included in the ultrasonic image, and thedifference is less than or equal to a first threshold value, thegenerating of the movement-amplified image includes increasing thedifference and generating the movement-amplified image.

The generating of the movement-amplified image includes determining thedifference as including a difference between a first imaginary componentof a first frame image in the ultrasonic image and a second imaginarycomponent of a second frame image, the second frame image being adjacentto the first frame image; when the difference is less than or equal to afirst threshold value, applying a first weight to the second imaginarycomponent to increase the difference; and generating themovement-amplified image in which movement of interest corresponding tothe increased difference is amplified using the first frame image andthe second frame image to which the first weight is applied.

The determining of the difference includes determining a differencebetween a first imaginary component of a first pixel at a first locationon the first frame image and a second imaginary component of a secondpixel at a second location on the second frame image, wherein the firstlocation may correspond with the second location.

The applying of the first weight includes applying the first weight tothe second imaginary component of the second pixel if the difference isless than or equal to the first threshold value.

The method may further include determining a pixel in which theimaginary component is non-periodically changed for a predetermined timeas a non-periodic region, in the ultrasonic image.

The non-periodic region may correspond to a first non-periodic region inthe first frame image and a second non-periodic region in the secondframe image, when the difference includes a difference between the firstimaginary component in the first non-periodic region and the secondimaginary component in the second non-periodic region is less than orequal to the first threshold value, the applying of the first weightincludes applying the first weight to the second imaginary component inthe second non-periodic region.

The method may further include: applying a second weight to the secondimaginary component so that the difference is decreased when thedifference is greater than or equal to a second threshold value; andgenerating the movement-amplified image based on the first frame imageand the second frame image to which the second weight is applied so thata movement of non-interest corresponding to the decreased difference isreduced.

The applying of the second weight includes applying the second weight tothe second imaginary component of a pixel in which the difference isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value, among a pluralityof pixels of the second frame image.

The method may further include determining a pixel in which theimaginary component is periodically changed for a predetermined time asa periodic region, in the ultrasonic image.

The periodic region may correspond to a first periodic region in thefirst frame image and a second periodic region in the second frameimage, when the difference includes a difference between the firstimaginary component in the first periodic region and the secondimaginary component in the second periodic region, and the difference isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value, the applying of thesecond weight includes applying the second weight to the secondimaginary component in the second periodic region.

The method may further include sampling the first imaginary component ofthe first frame image and the second imaginary component of the secondframe image according to a predetermined sampling rate.

When a difference between the sampled first imaginary component and thesampled second imaginary component is less than or equal to the firstthreshold value, the applying of the first weight includes applying athird weight corresponding to the sampling rate to the sampled secondimaginary component to increase the difference.

The generating of the movement-amplified image includes generating themovement-amplified image using the first frame image, the second frameimage to which the first weight is applied, the sampled first frameimage, and the sampled second frame image to which the third weight isapplied.

According to a still further aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a methodof processing a medical image includes receiving ultrasonic echo signalsreflected from an object; generating an ultrasonic image from theultrasonic echo signals, the ultrasonic image including a first frameimage and a second frame image; determining a first component differencebetween a first imaginary component of a first pixel of the first frameimage and a second imaginary component of a second pixel of the secondframe image; comparing the first component difference with a firstpre-determined value; if the first component difference is less than orequal to the first pre-determined value, generating an amplified secondframe image by applying a first weight to the second imaginarycomponent; and generating a first movement-amplified ultrasonic imagefrom the first frame image and the emphasized second frame image.

The method may further include: determining a second componentdifference between a third imaginary component of a third pixel of thefirst frame image and a fourth imaginary component of a fourth pixel ofthe second frame image; comparing the second component difference with asecond pre-determined value; if the second component difference isgreater than or equal to the second predetermined value, modifying theamplified second frame image by applying a second weight to the fourthimaginary component; and generating a second movement-amplifiedultrasonic image from the first frame image, and the modified amplifiedsecond frame image.

Generating the amplified second frame image may include separating thesecond frame image into real components of the second frame image andimaginary components of the second frame image; generating a real secondframe image using the real components of the second frame image, and animaginary second frame image using the imaginary components of thesecond frame image; generating an amplified imaginary second frame imageby increasing pixel values of the imaginary second frame image; andgenerating the amplified second frame image using the real second frameimage and the amplified imaginary second frame image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the exemplary embodiments will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic apparatusaccording to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control block diagram of theultrasonic apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed control block diagram of amain body of an ultrasonic apparatus according to one exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an image processing of an imageprocessing apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed control block diagram of amain body of an ultrasonic apparatus according to another exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an image processing of an imageprocessing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a detailed control block diagram of amain body of an ultrasonic apparatus according to still anotherexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing an image processing of an imageprocessing apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an ultrasonicapparatus according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to still another exemplary embodiment;and

FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to yet another exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, an ultrasonic apparatus and a method of controlling thesame according to the exemplary embodiments will be described in detailwith reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an ultrasonic apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating acontrol block diagram of the ultrasonic apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic apparatus may include a mainbody M and an ultrasonic probe P.

The ultrasonic probe P is a unit which is in direct contact with asurface of a body of an object and may collect echo ultrasonic wavesincluding information on the object. To this end, the ultrasonic probe Pmay include a plurality of transducer elements which may convertelectrical signals into ultrasonic waves, or convert the ultrasonicwaves into the electrical signals.

The plurality of transducer elements may be arranged on one surface ofthe ultrasonic probe P. In some exemplary embodiments, a probe in whichthe transducer elements are one-dimensionally (1D) arranged on onesurface of the ultrasonic probe P is referred to as a 1D array probe.The 1D array probe may include a linear array probe in which thetransducer elements are arranged in a straight line, a phased arrayprobe, and a convex array probe in which the transducer elements arearranged in a curved line.

In other exemplary embodiments, the ultrasonic probe P in which thetransducer elements are two-dimensionally (2D) arranged is referred toas a 2D array probe. In the 2D array probe, the transducer elements maybe arranged on a plane. In some exemplary embodiments, the transducerelements may also form a curved surface and be arranged on one surfaceof the 2D array probe.

The transducer elements vibrate by a transmission signal provided fromthe main body M, and thus may generate ultrasonic waves. The generatedultrasonic waves are applied to the interior of the object. Further, thetransducer elements vibrate by echo ultrasonic waves reflected from aspecific region inside the object, and thus may generate a receptionsignal corresponding to the echo ultrasonic waves. The reception signalis transferred to the main body M and may be used for generating anultrasonic image.

Hereinafter, the transmission signal provided to the ultrasonic probe Pis referred to as an ultrasonic signal and the reception signalgenerated by the ultrasonic probe P is referred to as an ultrasonic echosignal.

The ultrasonic probe P may collect echo ultrasonic waves in real time togenerate ultrasonic echo signals by a predetermined time interval. Thus,the ultrasonic echo signal generated by the time interval may be a basisof a frame image included in the ultrasonic image.

The ultrasonic probe P may be provided to communicate with the main bodyM through a cable 5. To this end, one end of the cable 5 may beconnected to the ultrasonic probe P and a male connector 6 may beconnected to the other end of the cable 5. The male connector 6connected to the other end of the cable 5 may be physically coupled to afemale connector 7 of the main body M, and thus, the ultrasonic probe Pmay be connected to the main body M.

The ultrasonic probe P may receive the above-described ultrasonic signalfrom the main body M through the cable 5 or transmit the above-describedultrasonic echo signal to the main body M. Also, the ultrasonic probe Pmay receive a control signal from the main body M through the cable 5and thus may be controlled by the main body M.

Specifically, when a control signal corresponding to a control commandinput through an input 420 is generated in the main body M, theultrasonic probe P may receive the control signal through the cable 5and thus may be controlled according to the control command. Forexample, when a control command that sets a focal depth of the appliedultrasonic waves, a size or a shape of an aperture of the ultrasonicprobe P, a steering angle, or the like is input through the input 420,the main body M may generate a control signal corresponding to thecontrol command. The generated control signal may be transferred to theultrasonic probe P through the cable 5 to be used for beamforming.

In other exemplary embodiments, unlike in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic probe Pmay be wirelessly connected to the main body M. In this case, theultrasonic probe P may wirelessly receive the ultrasonic signal forapplying the ultrasonic waves from the main body M, or wirelesslytransmit the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the echo ultrasonicwaves received from the object Ob to the main body M.

The ultrasonic probe P may adopt any one of known wireless communicationmethods to be connected to the main body M. For example, the ultrasonicprobe P may be connected to the main body M through a wireless Internetaccess method such as wireless local area network (WLAN), wirelessfidelity (Wi-Fi), wireless broadband (WiBro), world interoperability formicrowave access (WiMAX), and high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA),or a short-range communication method such as Bluetooth, radio frequencyidentification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband(UWB), ZigBee, etc. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the main body M mayinclude a beamformer 100, an image processing apparatus 200, acontroller 300, the input 420, and a display 410.

The controller 300 may control overall operations of the ultrasonicapparatus. Specifically, the controller 300 may control the operationsof the beamformer 100 and the image processing apparatus 200 which areprovided inside the main body M as well as the operations of theultrasonic probe P, the input 420, and/or the display 410 which areconnected with the main body M in wired and wireless communications.

For example, the controller 300 may calculate a delay profile withrespect to a plurality of transducer elements and a time delay valuebased on the delay profile. Using the calculated time delay value, thecontroller 300 may control the beamformer 100 to perform beamforming onthe ultrasonic signal. Further, the controller 300 may generate acontrol signal with respect to each of components of the ultrasonicapparatus according to a control command of a user input through theinput 420 to control the ultrasonic apparatus.

The beamformer 100 may perform beamforming on the ultrasonic signal sothat the ultrasonic probe P irradiates with ultrasonic waves, or on theultrasonic echo signal received from the ultrasonic probe P. Here, thebeamforming may refer to a method in which the ultrasonic waves appliedto a specific point of the object Ob or the echo ultrasonic wavesreflected from the specific point are delayed to be arranged. Thebeamforming is performed to correct a difference of time in which theultrasonic waves applied to the specific point of the object Ob or theecho ultrasonic waves reflected from the specific point reach each ofthe plurality of transducer elements.

The beamformer 100 may include a transmitting beamformer 110 whichperforms beamforming on the ultrasonic waves applied to the object Oband a receiving beamformer 120 which performs beamforming on thecollected echo ultrasonic waves.

The beamformer 100 may adopt any one of known beamforming methods, or beapplied by a combination of the plural methods or selectively appliedusing the known beamforming methods.

The ultrasonic echo signal that is beamformed in the beamformer 100 maybe transferred to the image processing apparatus 200 to be describedbelow, and used for generating the ultrasonic image.

The display 410 may be connected to the main body M to display theultrasonic image generated in the main body M. In this case, theultrasonic image displayed on the display 410 may be a still image at aspecific time, or a moving picture composed of a plurality of frameimages.

Moreover, the display 410 may also display an application related to theoperations of the ultrasonic apparatus. For example, the display 410 maydisplay menus, instructions, or the like required for ultrasonicdiagnosis.

The display 410 may be implemented using a component such as a cathoderay tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), an electro-luminescencedisplay (ELD), a field emission display (FED), a plasma display, athin-film-transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), or an organiclight emitting diode (OLED), but is not limited thereto.

Further, the display 410 may be designed to two-dimensionally displaythe ultrasonic image, or to provide a three-dimensional image for theuser. Specifically, the display 410 may be designed so that the user'sleft and right eyes have different images, and thus, the user may beprovided with the three-dimensional image according to binocularparallax.

Although the ultrasonic apparatus including one display 410 isillustrated in FIG. 1, a plurality of displays 410 may be includedtherein. In this case, images displayed on each of the plurality ofdisplays 410 may be different from each other, or the images displayedon at least two of the displays 410 may be the same.

The input 420 is connected to the main body M and provided so as toreceive commands related to the operations of the ultrasonic apparatus.For example, the input 420 may receive an ultrasonic diagnosis startingcommand or a selection command of modes of the ultrasonic image.

The case in which the input 420 is connected to the main body M with awire is illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, it may be implemented thatthe input 420 transfers a control command received in a wirelesscommunication method to the main body M.

The input 420 may include various components such as a keyboard, amouse, a trackball, a tablet PC, or a touch screen module that may beused by the user to input a control command.

The image processing apparatus 200 may process the ultrasonic echosignal that is beamformed by the beamformer 100, generate an ultrasonicimage of the object Ob, transfer the ultrasonic image to the display410, and visually provide anatomical information of the object Ob to theuser. To this end, the image processing apparatus 200 may be implementedin the form of hardware such as a microprocessor, or alternatively, inthe form of software that may be performed on the hardware.

Further, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate an ultrasonicimage in which movement corresponding to a frequency band of interest isamplified or reduced. Hereinafter, such an image processing apparatus200 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed control block diagram of amain body M of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an image processing of animage processing apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The image processing apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodimentmay include a signal processor 210 which processes beamformed ultrasonicecho signals, and an image processor 220 which generates amovement-amplified image in which movement of interest is amplifiedand/or movement of non-interest is reduced based on the signal-processedultrasonic echo signals.

The signal processor 210 may process the ultrasonic echo signal of an RFsignal form so as to be suitable for converting into the ultrasonicimage. The signal processor 210 according to an exemplary embodiment mayfilter the ultrasonic echo signal, demodulate the filtered ultrasonicecho signal, and then compress the demodulated ultrasonic echo signal.

Specifically, the signal processor 210 may perform filtering to removenoise which is present in the ultrasonic echo signal. The ultrasonicecho signal may include information on the object as well as electronicnoise generated in the process of the transmitting or receiving theultrasonic waves. Since the noise may form artifacts in the ultrasonicimage, the signal processor 210 may filter only a frequency bandincluding the information on the object of the ultrasonic echo signal.

Next, the signal processor 210 may perform demodulation on the filteredultrasonic echo signal. The signal processor 210 may adopt an envelopedetection method as a demodulation method, which performs thedemodulation by connecting maximum values of periodic change values ofthe ultrasonic echo signal and reproducing an envelope. Alternatively,the signal processor 210 may adopt a synchronous detection method, whichperforms the demodulation by synchronizing the ultrasonic echo signalwith a carrier wave.

After performing the demodulation of the ultrasonic echo signal, thesignal processor 210 may compress the demodulated ultrasonic echosignal. A maximum/minimum amplitude rate of a signal capable of beingcontrolled in the ultrasonic apparatus refers to a dynamic range, andthe signal processor 210 may compress the ultrasonic echo signaldemodulated according to a preset dynamic range. Specifically, as amaximum/minimum amplitude rate of the demodulated ultrasonic echo signalis included in the dynamic range. the signal processor 210 may performcompression.

Contrast of the finally generated ultrasonic image may be increased asthe dynamic range is decreased. However, since a small-sized ultrasonicecho signal not included in the dynamic range may be removed, the usermay set the dynamic range in consideration of the above-describedproblem.

The image processor 220 may generate a movement-amplified image in whichmovement of interest is amplified and/or movement of non-interest isreduced based on the signal-processed ultrasonic echo signal. To thisend, the image processor 220 according to an exemplary embodiment mayinclude a scan converter 221 which performs scan conversion on theultrasonic echo signals, an image separator 222 which separates each ofa plurality of frame images constituting the ultrasonic image generatedby the scan conversion into a real component and an imaginary component,a weight applier 223 which applies a first weight to the imaginarycomponent to increase a difference between the imaginary components ofthe adjacent frame images when the difference is less than or equal to afirst threshold value, and applies a second weight to the imaginarycomponent to decrease the difference when the difference is greater thanor equal to a second threshold value, and an image generator 224 whichcomposites the real component and the imaginary component to which theweight is applied to generate a movement-amplified image in whichmovement of interest is amplified.

The scan converter 221 may perform scan conversion so that thesignal-processed ultrasonic echo signal may be displayed on the display410. Specifically, the scan converter 221 may dispose thesignal-processed ultrasonic echo signal on coordinates of the ultrasonicimage capable of being displayed on the display 410. Thus, a pixel valueof each of pixels of the ultrasonic image may be determined, and a valueof the pixel on which the ultrasonic echo signal is not included may bedetermined from adjacent pixels through interpolation.

When the signal processor 210 performs signal processing on theultrasonic echo signals corresponding to a plurality of frames, the scanconverter 221 may perform scan conversion on the ultrasonic echo signalscorresponding to the plurality of frames, and thus may generate anultrasonic image composed of a plurality of frame images.

Referring to FIG. 4, the signal processor 210 may process an ultrasonicecho signal ES₁ corresponding to a first frame and an ultrasonic echosignal ES₂ corresponding to a second frame. As a result, the scanconverter 221 may perform scan conversion on a signal-processedultrasonic echo signal ES₁₁ (corresponding to the first frame) togenerate a first frame image I_(O1), and on a signal-processedultrasonic echo signal ES₂₂ (corresponding to the second frame) togenerate a second frame image I_(O2).

The image separator 222 may separate the ultrasonic image generated bythe scan conversion into real components and imaginary components.Specifically, the image separator 222 may separate each of a pluralityof pixels constituting the ultrasonic image into the real component andthe imaginary component. Therefore, the image separator 222 may generatea real image composed of the separated real components and an imaginaryimage composed of the separated imaginary components.

When the scan converter 221 generates an ultrasonic image composed of aplurality of frame images, the image separator 222 may separate each ofthe plurality of frame images into real components and imaginarycomponents. While the separated real components may determine abrightness value of a B-MODE image of the ultrasonic image, changes ofthe imaginary components may include information on movement of theB-MODE image.

The ultrasonic image may include speckles due to physicalcharacteristics of the ultrasonic waves. Thus, when the frame imageitself is amplified, the speckles are also amplified, and thus, it maybe an obstacle to determine an anatomical structure of the object.

Therefore, as the imaginary components are separated from the frameimage, movement of interest rather than the speckles may be amplified.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the first frame image I_(O1) and the secondframe image I_(O2) are generated by the scan converter 221, the imageseparator 222 may separate the first frame image I_(O1) into a firstreal image I_(A1) composed of first real components of the first frameimage I_(O1) and a first imaginary image I_(P1) composed of firstimaginary components of the first frame image I_(O1), and may separatethe second frame image I_(O2) into a second real image I_(A2) composedof second real components of the second frame image I_(O2) and a secondimaginary image I_(P2) composed of second imaginary components of thesecond frame image I_(O2).

The weight applier 223 may increase the imaginary componentscorresponding to the movement of interest to be amplified and maydecrease the imaginary components corresponding to the movement ofnon-interest to be reduced. To this end, the weight applier 223 mayinclude a difference obtainer 223 a, a filter 223 b, and an amplifierand reducer 223 c.

The difference obtainer 223 a may obtain imaginary component differencesbetween adjacent frame images. As described above, since the imaginarycomponent differences between the frame images may include informationon movement in the ultrasonic image, the difference obtainer 223 a mayobtain the information on the movement in the ultrasonic image throughthe imaginary component differences between the frame images.

The difference obtainer 223 a may obtain imaginary component differencesbetween a plurality of pixels constituting the adjacent frame images.Thus, the difference obtainer 223 a may generate a differential image inwhich each difference between the pixels constituting the adjacentimaginary images is a pixel value.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the difference obtainer 223 a mayobtain a differential image I_(D) made by differences between the firstimaginary image I_(P1) composed of the first imaginary components andthe second imaginary image I_(P2) composed of the second imaginarycomponents.

The filter 223 b may filter only the imaginary component differencescorresponding to the movement to be amplified or reduced. Specificallythe filter 223 b may include a first filter 223 b 1 which filters adifference value, which is less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue and selected from difference values obtained in the differenceobtainer 223 a, and a second filter 223 b 2 which filters a differencevalue, which is greater than or equal to the second threshold value andselected from the difference values obtained in the difference obtainer223 a.

Here, the first threshold value may refer to a maximum value of theimaginary component differences including the information on themovement of interest to be amplified, and the second threshold value mayrefer to a minimum value of the imaginary component differencesincluding the information on the movement of non-interest to be reduced.

As described above, when the difference obtainer 223 a generates thedifferential image I_(D) in which the imaginary component differencebetween adjacent frame images is a pixel value, the filter 223 b mayfilter a pixel value of each of pixels of the differential image I_(D)and thus determine a pixel region including the filtered imaginarycomponents.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first filter 223 b 1 may determine a region S₁composed of the pixels less than or equal to the first threshold valuein the differential image I_(D). Further, the second filter 223 b 2 maydetermine a region S₂ composed of the pixels greater than or equal tothe second threshold value in the differential image I_(D). Thedetermined region S₁ may be a region in which the movement of interestis displayed in the ultrasonic image, and the determined region S₂ maybe a region in which the movement of non-interest is displayed in theultrasonic image.

The amplifier and reducer 223 c may increase or decrease the secondimaginary component having the filtered difference value. Specifically,the amplifier and reducer 223 c may include an amplifier 223 c 1 whichapplies a first weight to the second imaginary component so that thedifference value filtered through the first filter 223 b 1 is increased,and a reducer 223 c 2 which applies a second weight to the secondimaginary component so that the difference value filtered through thesecond filter 223 b 2 is decreased.

For example, the amplifier 223 c 1 may apply a first weight α₁ to theregion S₁ of the second imaginary image I_(P2) so that the differencevalue between the first imaginary component and the second imaginarycomponent is increased in the region S₁. In this case, the first weightα₁ may be determined according to the user's input or internaloperations of the apparatus, equally applied according to the secondimaginary components of the plurality of pixels constituting the regionS₁, or differently applied according to the second imaginary componentsof the plurality of pixels constituting the region S₁.

Finally, the amplifier 223 c 1 may generate a second amplified imaginaryimage I_(P2A) including the region S₁ to which the first weight α₁ isapplied.

As described above, the region S₁ may be a region of interest whichdisplays the movement to be amplified. Therefore, the amplifier 223 c 1may apply the first weight α₁ to the second imaginary component in theregion S₁ to increase a difference with the first imaginary component,and thus amplify the movement displayed in the region of interest.

Further, the reducer 223 c 2 may apply a second weight α₂ to the regionS₂ of the second imaginary image I_(P2) so that a difference valuebetween the first imaginary component and the second imaginary componentis decreased in the region S2. In this case, the second weight α₂ may bedetermined according to the user's input or the internal operations ofthe apparatus, equally applied according to the second imaginarycomponents of the plurality of pixels constituting the region S2, ordifferently applied according to the second imaginary components of theplurality of pixels constituting the region S2.

Finally, the reducer 223 c 2 may generate a second reduced imaginaryimage I_(P2R) including the region S₂ to which the second weight α₂ isapplied.

As described above, the region S₂ may be a region of non-interest whichdisplays the movement to be reduced. Therefore, the reducer 223 c 2 mayapply the second weight α₂ to the second imaginary component in theregion S₂ to decrease a difference with the first imaginary component,and thus reduce the movement displayed in the region of non interest.Therefore, the movement of the region of interest in the ultrasonicimage may be relatively and clearly recognized.

The image generator 224 may composite the real component and theimaginary component to which the weight is applied to generate amovement-amplified image in which movement of interest is amplified andmovement of non-interest is reduced. To this end, the image generator224 may include a first compositor 224 a which composites the imaginarycomponent to which the first weight is applied by the amplifier 223 c 1and the imaginary component to which the second weight is applied by thereducer 223 c 2, a second compositor 224 b which composites theimaginary component composited by the first compositor 224 a and thereal component separated by the image separator 222, and a B-MODE imagegenerator 224 c which generates a B-MODE image using a compositionresult of the second compositor 224 b.

Referring to FIG. 4, the first compositor 224 a may composite the secondamplified imaginary image I_(P2A) to which the first weight α₁ isapplied by the amplifier 223 c 1 and the second reduced imaginary imageI_(P2R) to which the second weight α₂ is applied by the reducer 223 c 2.Therefore, the first compositor 224 a may generate a second compositedimaginary image I_(P2S) in which pixel values of the region S₁ areincreased and pixel values of the region S₂ are decreased.

The second compositor 224 b may composite the second compositedimaginary image I_(P2S) generated by the first compositor 224 a and thesecond real image I_(A2) separated by the image separator 222. Thus, thesecond compositor 224 b may generate a second composited frame imageI_(S2) in which imaginary components of the pixel values of the regionS₁ are increased and imaginary components of the pixel values of theregion S₂ are decreased.

Finally, the B-MODE image generator 224 c may perform post-processing onthe first frame image I_(O1) generated by the scan converter 221 and thesecond composited frame image I_(S2) generated by the second compositor224 b to generate a post-processed first frame image I_(O11) and apost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22). Further, theB-MODE image generator 224 c may generate a movement-amplified image inwhich the post-processed first frame image I_(O11) and thepost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22) are sequentiallydisposed.

Since the imaginary component difference between the region S₁ of thepost-processed first frame image I_(O11) and the region S₁ of thepost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22) is increased, theB-MODE image generator 224 c may generate a movement-amplified image inwhich movement of interest displayed in the region S₁ is amplified.

Further, since the imaginary component difference between the region S₂of the post-processed first frame image I_(O11) and the region S₂ of thepost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22) is decreased, theB-MODE image generator 224 c may generate a movement-amplified image inwhich movement of non-interest displayed in the region S₂ is reduced.

As described above, the image processing apparatus 200 which generatesthe movement-amplified image by controlling the imaginary components ofthe first generated ultrasonic image has been described. Hereinafter,the image processing apparatus 200 which generates a movement-amplifiedimage by controlling the imaginary components of the first generatedultrasonic image and a sampling image obtained by sampling theultrasonic image will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed control block diagram of amain body M of an ultrasonic apparatus according to another exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for describing an image processing of animage processing apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 shows the case in which a sampler 225and a third compositor 224 d are added to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and4. Hereinafter, repeated descriptions are omitted and the newly addedcomponents will be mainly described.

The image processing apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodimentmay include a signal processor 210 which processes beamformed ultrasonicecho signals, and an image processor 220 which generates amovement-amplified image in which movement of interest is amplifiedand/or movement of non-interest is reduced based on the signal-processedultrasonic echo signals.

Further, the image processor 220 according to an exemplary embodimentmay include a scan converter 221 which performs scan conversion on theultrasonic echo signals, an image separator 222 which separates each ofa plurality of frame images constituting the ultrasonic image generatedby the scan conversion into real components and imaginary components,the sampler 225 which performs sampling on the separated real componentsand the imaginary components according to a predetermined sampling rate,a weight applier 223 which applies a first weight to the imaginarycomponent to increase a difference between the imaginary components ofthe adjacent frame images when the difference is less than or equal to afirst threshold value, and applies a second weight to the imaginarycomponent to decrease the difference when the difference is greater thanor equal to a second threshold value, and an image generator 224 whichcomposites the real component and the imaginary component to which theweight is applied to generate a movement-amplified image in whichmovement of interest is amplified.

Referring to FIG. 6, the signal processor 210 may process an ultrasonicecho signal ES₁ corresponding to a first frame and an ultrasonic echosignal ES₂ corresponding to a second frame. As a result, the scanconverter 221 may perform scan conversion on a signal-processedultrasonic echo signal ES₁₁ (corresponding to the first frame) togenerate a first frame image I_(O1), and may perform scan conversion ona signal-processed ultrasonic echo signal ES₂₂ (corresponding to thesecond frame) to generate a second frame image I_(O2).

The image separator 222 may separate the first frame image I_(O1) into afirst real image I_(A1) composed of first real components of the firstframe image I_(O1) and a first imaginary image I_(P1) composed of firstimaginary components of the first frame image I_(O1), and may separatethe second frame image I_(O2) into a second real image I_(A2) composedof second real components of the second frame image I_(O2) and a secondimaginary image I_(P2) composed of second imaginary components of thesecond frame image I_(O2).

The sampler 225 may perform sampling on the separated first imaginarycomponents and second imaginary components according to a predeterminedsampling rate. Artifacts such as speckles or noise are included in theultrasonic image, and the sampler 225 may extract only feature pointsfrom the ultrasonic image to remove the artifacts or noise. Using thesampled image, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate amovement-amplified image in which the noise or artifacts are removed.

Specifically, the sampler 225 may perform down-sampling on the firstreal image I_(A1) composed of the first real components, the firstimaginary image I_(P1) composed of the first imaginary components, thesecond real image I_(A2) composed of the second real components, and thesecond imaginary image I_(P2) composed of the second imaginarycomponents to generate an image having low resolution.

For example, the sampler 225 may divide an input image into pixel groupseach composed of a plurality of pixels, select pixels at a predeterminedlocation from the pixel groups, and then generate an output imagecomposed of the selected pixels. Since the probability in which thepixels selected from the pixel groups become feature points is high, thenoise or artifacts may be removed from the output image output from thesampler 225.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sampler 225 may perform sampling on the firstimaginary image I_(P1) according to a predetermined sampling rate togenerate a sampled first imaginary image I_(PS1). In the same manner,the sampler 225 may perform sampling on the second imaginary imageI_(P2) according to the predetermined sampling rate to generate asampled second imaginary image I_(PS2).

Although the sampler 225 which performs sampling according to onesampling rate is illustrated in FIG. 6, the sampler 225 according to anexemplary embodiment may generate a plurality of sampled imaginaryimages having different resolutions according to a plurality of samplingrates.

For example, the sampler 225 may generate a Gaussian pyramid composed ofthe imaginary images sampled according to the plurality of samplingrates. Also, the sampler 225 may generate a Laplacian pyramid composedof differential images of the imaginary images constituting the Gaussianpyramid.

The difference obtainer 223 a may obtain a differential image I_(D) madeby differences between the first imaginary image I_(P1) and the secondimaginary image I_(P2) composed of the second imaginary components.Further, the difference obtainer 223 a may obtain a differential imageI_(DS) made by differences between the sampled first imaginary imageI_(PS1) and the sampled second imaginary image I_(PS2).

Then, the first filter 223 b 1 may determine a region S₁ composed ofpixels having pixel values less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue in the differential image I_(D). Further, the second filter 223 b2 may determine a region S₂ composed of pixels having pixel valuesgreater than or equal to the second threshold value in the differentialimage I_(D).

Also, the first filter 223 b 1 may determine a region S_(S1) composed ofpixels having pixel values less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue in the sampled differential image I_(DS), and the second filter223 b 2 may determine a region S_(S2) composed of pixels having pixelvalues greater than or equal to the second threshold value in thesampled differential image I_(DS).

The amplifier 223 c 1 may apply a first weight α₁ to the region S₁ ofthe second imaginary image I_(P2) so that the difference between thefirst imaginary component and the second imaginary component isincreased in the region S₁ determined by the first filter 223 b 1.Further, the reducer 223 c 2 may apply a second weight α₂ to the regionS₂ of the second imaginary image I_(P2) so that the difference betweenthe first imaginary component and the second imaginary component isdecreased in the region S₂ determined by the second filter 223 b 2.

Thus, the amplifier 223 c 1 may generate a second amplified imaginaryimage I_(P2A) including the region S₁ to which the first weight α₁ isapplied and the reducer 223 c 2 may generate a second reduced imaginaryimage I_(P2R) including the region S₂ to which the second weight α₂ isapplied.

Also, the amplifier 223 c 1 may apply a third weight α_(S1) to theregion S_(S1) of the sampled second imaginary image I_(PS2) so that thedifference between the first imaginary component and the secondimaginary component is increased in the region S_(S1) determined by thefirst filter 223 b 1, and the reducer 223 c 2 may apply a fourth weightα_(S2) to the region S_(S2) determined by the second filter 223 b 2.

When the imaginary image is sampled multiple times according to theplurality of sampling rates, the third weight α_(S1) applied to theregion S_(S1) and the fourth weight α_(S2) applied to the region S_(S2)may be differently determined according to the sampling rates.

Finally, the amplifier 223 c 1 may generate a sampled second amplifiedimaginary image I_(PS2A) to which the third weight α_(S1) is applied andthe reducer 223 c 2 may generate a sampled second reduced imaginaryimage I_(PS2R) to which the fourth weight α_(S2) is applied.

Then, the first compositor 224 a may composite the second amplifiedimaginary image I_(P2A) to which the first weight α₁ is applied by theamplifier 223 c 1 and the second reduced imaginary image I_(P2R) towhich the second weight α₂ is applied by the reducer 223 c 2. As aresult, the first compositor 224 a may generate a second compositedimaginary image I_(P2S) in which the pixel values in the region S₁ areincreased and the pixel values in the region S₂ are decreased.

Further, the first compositor 224 a may composite the sampled secondamplified imaginary image I_(PS2A) to which the third weight α_(S1) isapplied by the amplifier 223 c 1 and the sampled second reducedimaginary image I_(PS2R) to which the fourth weight α_(S2) is applied bythe reducer 223 c 2. As a result, the first compositor 224 a maygenerate a sampled second composited imaginary image I_(PS2S) in whichthe pixel values in the region S_(S1) are increased and the pixel valuesin the region S_(S2) are decreased.

The third compositor 224 d may composite the second composited imaginaryimage I_(P2S) which is composited in the first compositor 224 a and thesampled second composited imaginary image I_(PS2S). Specifically, thethird compositor 224 d may perform up-sampling on the sampled secondcomposited imaginary image I_(PS2S) so that the sampled secondcomposited imaginary image I_(PS2S) has the same resolution as thesecond composited imaginary image I_(P2S). Then, the third compositor224 d may composite the up-sampled second composited imaginary imageI_(PS2S) and the second composited imaginary image I_(P2S).

When the imaginary image is sampled multiple times according to aplurality of sampling rates, the third compositor 224 d may performup-sampling on each of the imaginary images and then composite theup-sampled imaginary images so that each of the imaginary images has thesame resolution as the second composited imaginary image I_(P2S).

As a result, the third compositor 224 d may generate a second finalcomposited imaginary image I_(PS2S).

The second compositor 224 b may composite the second final compositedimaginary image I_(PS2S) generated by the third compositor 224 d and thesecond real image I_(A2) separated by the image separator 222. As aresult, the second compositor 224 b may generate a second compositedframe image I_(S2) in which the imaginary components of the pixel valuesin the region S₁ are increased and the imaginary components of the pixelvalues in the region S₂ are decreased.

Finally, the B-MODE image generator 224 c may perform post-processing oneach of the first frame image I_(O1) generated by the scan converter 221and the second composited frame image I_(S2) generated by the secondcompositor 224 b to generate a post-processed first frame image I_(O11)and a post-processed second composited frame image I_(S22). Further, theB-MODE image generator 224 c may generate a movement-amplified image inwhich the post-processed first frame image I_(O11) and thepost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22) are sequentiallydisposed.

The generated movement-amplified image may be an image in which movementof interest displayed in the region S₁ is amplified and movement ofnon-interest displayed in the region S₂ is reduced.

Further, a region of interest of the sampled imaginary image in additionto a region of interest of the imaginary image of the one ultrasonicimage is increased, the results thereof are composited, and thus, amovement-amplified image in which artifacts or noise are removed may begenerated.

As described above, the image processing apparatus 200 which generatesthe movement-amplified image by controlling the imaginary components ofthe first generated ultrasonic image and the sampling image obtained bysampling the ultrasonic image has been described. Hereinafter, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 which generates a movement-amplified imagebased on a periodic region and a non-periodic region will be described.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a detailed control block diagram of amain body M of an ultrasonic apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram for describing an image processing of animage processing apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8 shows the case in which aperiodic/non-periodic determiner 226 is added to the embodiment of FIGS.3 and 4. Hereinafter, repeated descriptions are omitted and the newlyadded component will be mainly described.

The image processing apparatus 200 according to an exemplary embodimentmay include a signal processor 210 which processes beamformed ultrasonicecho signals, and an image processor 220 which generates amovement-amplified image in which movement of interest is amplifiedand/or movement of non-interest is reduced based on the signal-processedultrasonic echo signals.

Further, the image processor 220 according to an exemplary embodimentmay include a scan converter 221 which performs scan conversion on theultrasonic echo signals, an image separator 222 which separates each ofa plurality of frame images constituting an ultrasonic image generatedby the scan conversion into real components and imaginary components,the periodic/non-periodic determiner 226 which determines a periodicregion and a non-periodic region of the ultrasonic image, a weightapplier 223 which applies a first weight to the imaginary component toincrease a difference between the imaginary components in thenon-periodic region of the adjacent frame images when the difference isless than or equal to a first threshold value, and applies a secondweight to the imaginary component to decrease a difference between theimaginary components in the periodic region of the adjacent frame imageswhen the difference is greater than or equal to a second thresholdvalue, and an image generator 224 which composites the real componentand the imaginary component to which the weight is applied to generate amovement-amplified image in which movement of interest is amplified.

Referring to FIG. 8, the signal processor 210 may process an ultrasonicecho signal ES₁ corresponding to a first frame and an ultrasonic echosignal ES₂ corresponding to a second frame. As a result, the scanconverter 221 may perform scan conversion on a signal-processedultrasonic echo signal ES₁₁ (corresponding to the first frame) togenerate a first frame image I_(O1), and may perform scan conversion ona signal-processed ultrasonic echo signal ES₂₂ (corresponding to thesecond frame) to generate a second frame image I_(O2).

The image separator 222 may separate the first frame image I_(O1) into afirst real image I_(A1) composed of first real components of the firstframe image I_(O1) and a first imaginary image I_(P1) composed of firstimaginary components of the first frame image I_(O1), and may separatethe second frame image I_(O2) into a second real image I_(A2) composedof second real components of the second frame image I_(O2) and a secondimaginary image I_(P2) composed of second imaginary components of thesecond frame image I_(O2).

Next, the difference obtainer 223 a may obtain a differential imageI_(D) made by differences between the first imaginary image I_(P1) andthe second imaginary image I_(P2) composed of the second imaginarycomponents. Based on the above-described the differential image I_(D),the first filter 223 b 1 may determine a region S₁ composed of pixelshaving pixel values less than or equal to the first threshold value inthe differential image I_(D). Further, the second filter 223 b 2 maydetermine a region S₂ composed of pixels having pixel values greaterthan or equal to the second threshold value in the differential imageI_(D).

Meanwhile, the periodic/non-periodic determiner 226 may determine theperiodic region which displays periodic movement for a predeterminedtime in the ultrasonic image in which the plurality of frame images aresequentially disposed and the non-periodic region which displaysnon-periodic movement.

When the object is an internal organ of human, the organ in a normalstate shows a pattern that repeats the movement according to apredetermined cycle. For example, when the organ is a heart, the heartmay repeat contraction and relaxation according to a predetermined heartrate. However, the organ in an abnormal state may have an irregularmovement that does not follow the cycle. Since the irregular movement isimportant information when the ultrasonic diagnosis is performed on theobject, there is a need to provide that the irregular movement isamplified so that the user may easily determine.

To this end, the periodic/non-periodic determiner 226 may include aperiodic region determiner 226 a which determines the periodic regionwhich displays the periodic movement for the predetermined time in theultrasonic image, and a non-periodic region determiner 226 b whichdetermines the non-periodic region which displays the non-periodicmovement for the predetermined time in the ultrasonic image.

The periodic region determiner 226 a may determine a region in whichpixel values are changed for the predetermined time according to aconstant cycle as the periodic region, and the non-periodic regiondeterminer 226 b may determine a region in which the pixel values arechanged for the predetermined time without any constant cycle as thenon-periodic region.

Referring to FIG. 8, the periodic region determiner 226 a may determinea region S_(f) in the ultrasonic image I_(O) as the periodic region, andthe non-periodic region determiner 226 b may determine a region S_(nf)in the ultrasonic image I_(O) as the non-periodic region.

The amplifier 223 c 1 may apply a first weight α₁ to the region S₁ ofthe non-periodic region S_(nf) of the second imaginary image I_(P2) sothat a difference between the first imaginary component and the secondimaginary component is increased in the region S₁ of the non-periodicregion S_(nf) determined by the non-periodic region determiner 226 b.Further, the reducer 223 c 2 may apply a second weight α₂ to the regionS₂ of the periodic region S_(f) of the second imaginary image I_(P2) sothat a difference between the first imaginary component and the secondimaginary component is decreased in the region S₂ of the periodic regionS_(f) determined by the periodic region determiner 226 a.

Thus, the amplifier 223 c 1 may generate an second amplified imaginaryimage I_(P2A) to which the first weight α₁ is applied to the region S₁of the non-periodic region S_(nf), and the reducer 223 c 2 may generatea second reduced imaginary image I_(P2R) to which the second weight α₂is applied to the region S₂ of the periodic region S_(f).

Then, the first compositor 224 a may composite the second amplifiedimaginary image I_(P2A) to which the first weight α₁ is applied by theamplifier 223 c 1 and the second reduced imaginary image I_(P2R) towhich the second weight α₂ is applied by the reducer 223 c 2. As aresult, the first compositor 224 a may generate a second compositedimaginary image I_(P2S) in which pixel values of the region S₁ areincreased and pixel values of the region S₂ are decreased.

The second compositor 224 b may composite the second compositedimaginary image I_(P2S) generated by the first compositor 224 a and thesecond real image I_(A2) separated by the image separator 222. Thus, thesecond compositor 224 b may generate a second composited frame imageI_(S2) in which the imaginary components of the pixel values in theregion S₁ of the non-periodic region S_(nf) are increased and theimaginary components of the pixel values in the region S₂ of theperiodic region S_(f) are decreased.

Finally, the B-MODE image generator 224 c may perform post-processing onthe first frame image I_(O1) generated by the scan converter 221 and thesecond composited frame image I_(S2) generated by the second compositor224 b to generate a post-processed first frame image I_(O11) and apost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22). Further, theB-MODE image generator 224 c may generate a movement-amplified image inwhich the post-processed first frame image I_(O11) and thepost-processed second composited frame image I_(S22) are sequentiallydisposed.

The generated movement-amplified image may be an image in which movementof interest displayed in the region S₁ is amplified and movement ofnon-interest displayed in the region S₂ is reduced.

Particularly, the image processing apparatus 200 amplifies movement ofinterest which is fine movement of non-periodic movement, reducesmovement of non-interest which is relatively large movement of periodicmovement, and thus may provide the movement-amplified image capable offurther easily determining the non-periodic movement by the user.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling an ultrasonicapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, the ultrasonic probe P may collect ultrasonic signals reflectedfrom an object, that is, ultrasonic echo signals (S500.) Specifically,transducers of the ultrasonic probe P may irradiate the object withultrasonic waves according to the ultrasonic signals. The transducers ofthe ultrasonic probe P may collect echo ultrasonic waves reflected fromthe object corresponding to the irradiated ultrasonic waves. Thetransducers which collect the echo ultrasonic waves vibrate to generatethe ultrasonic echo signals which are electrical signals.

Particularly, when the ultrasonic probe P irradiates the object with theultrasonic waves according to a predetermined frame rate, the ultrasonicecho signals may be collected according to the predetermined frame ratecorresponding to the ultrasonic waves.

The image processing apparatus 200 may generate an ultrasonic imagecomposed of a plurality of frame images based on the collectedultrasonic echo signals (S510). Specifically, the scan converter 221 ofthe image processing apparatus 200 may perform scan conversion on theultrasonic echo signals so as to be displayed on the display 410, andthus may generate the ultrasonic image.

As described above, when the ultrasonic probe P collects the ultrasonicecho signals according to the predetermined frame rate, the scanconverter 221 may generate the plurality of frame images correspondingto the predetermined frame rate, and thus may generate the ultrasonicimage composed of the plurality of frame images.

Then, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate amovement-amplified image in which an imaginary component differencebetween adjacent frame images of the generated ultrasonic image isincreased and movement is amplified (S520). As described above, sincethe imaginary component difference between the frame images may includeinformation on the movement in the ultrasonic image, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may increase a value corresponding to movementof interest of the imaginary component differences between the frameimages to be amplified to generate a movement-amplified image.

Finally, the display 410 may display the generated movement-amplifiedimage (S530). Specifically, the display 410 may display the plurality offrame images in which the imaginary component difference is increasedaccording to the predetermined frame rate, and thus may provide themovement-amplified image as a moving picture including anatomicalinformation of the object according to time change.

Since the movement-amplified image provided through the display 410 isprovided by amplifying the movement of interest, the user may easily andvisually determine the movement of interest and may perform furtheraccurate ultrasonic diagnosis based on the movement of interest.

FIG. 10 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, the ultrasonic probe P may collect ultrasonic signals reflectedfrom an object, that is, ultrasonic echo signals (S600). Particularly,when the ultrasonic probe P irradiates the object with ultrasonic wavesaccording to a predetermined frame rate, the ultrasonic echo signals maybe collected according to the predetermined frame rate corresponding tothe ultrasonic waves.

The image processing apparatus 200 may generate an ultrasonic imagecomposed of a plurality of frame images based on the collectedultrasonic echo signals (S610). As described above, when the ultrasonicprobe P collects the ultrasonic echo signals according to thepredetermined frame rate, the scan converter 221 of the image processingapparatus 200 may generate the plurality of frame images correspondingto the predetermined frame rate and may finally generate an ultrasonicimage in which the plurality of frame images are sequentially disposed.

Then, the image processing apparatus 200 may obtain a difference dbetween a first imaginary component of a first frame image in theultrasonic image and a second imaginary component of a second frameimage adjacent to the first frame image (S620). Specifically, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may obtain the imaginary component difference dfor each pixel between a first imaginary image composed of the firstimaginary components of the first frame image and a second imaginaryimage composed of the second imaginary components of the second frameimage.

The image processing apparatus 200 obtains the imaginary componentdifference d, and then may determine whether the imaginary componentdifference d is less than or equal to a predetermined first thresholdvalue d_(r1) or not (S630). Here, the first threshold value d_(r1) mayrefer to a maximum value of the imaginary component differencesincluding information on the movement of interest to be amplified andmay be a positive real number.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine whether the imaginarycomponent difference d is less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue d_(r1) for each pixel of the first imaginary image and the secondimaginary image. Thus, the image processing apparatus 200 may determinea region in which the imaginary component difference d is less than orequal to the first threshold value d_(r1).

When the imaginary component difference d is greater than the firstthreshold value d_(r1), movement corresponding to the imaginarycomponent difference d may not refer to fine movement of interest enoughto require amplification, and thus the image processing apparatus 200may terminate the process.

On the other hand, when the imaginary component difference d is lessthan or equal to the first threshold value d_(r1), the movementcorresponding to the imaginary component difference d may refer to finemovement of interest that requires amplification. Therefore, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may apply a first weight α₁ to the secondimaginary component so that the imaginary component difference d isincreased (S640).

As described above, when the image processing apparatus 200 performs thedetermination of the imaginary component difference d for each pixel,the first weight α₁ may be applied to a region in which a differencewith the first imaginary image in the second imaginary image is lessthan or equal to the first threshold value d_(r1).

Finally, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate amovement-amplified image using the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the first weight α₁ is applied (S650). In the imageprocessing apparatus 200, the first frame image and the second frameimage to which the first weight α₁ is applied are sequentially disposedin the movement-amplified image, and thus an effect in which themovement of interest is amplified and displayed may be represented.

FIG. 11 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

First, the ultrasonic probe P may collect ultrasonic signals reflectedfrom an object, that is, ultrasonic echo signals (S700). Specifically,when the ultrasonic probe P irradiates the object with ultrasonic wavesaccording to a predetermined frame rate, the ultrasonic echo signals maybe collected according to the predetermined frame rate corresponding tothe ultrasonic waves.

The image processing apparatus 200 may generate an ultrasonic imagecomposed of a plurality of frame images based on the collectedultrasonic echo signals (S710). As described above, when the ultrasonicprobe P collects the ultrasonic echo signals according to thepredetermined frame rate, the scan converter 221 of the image processingapparatus 200 may generate the plurality of frame images correspondingto the predetermined frame rate and may finally generate an ultrasonicimage in which the plurality of frame images are sequentially disposed.

Then, the image processing apparatus 200 may obtain a difference dbetween a first imaginary component of a first frame image in theultrasonic image and a second imaginary component of a second frameimage adjacent to the first frame image (S720). Specifically, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may obtain the imaginary component difference dfor each pixel between a first imaginary image composed of the firstimaginary components of the first frame image and a second imaginaryimage composed of the second imaginary components of the second frameimage.

The image processing apparatus 200 obtains the imaginary componentdifference d, and then may determine whether the imaginary componentdifference d is greater than or equal to a predetermined secondthreshold value d_(r2) (S730). Here, the second threshold value d_(r2)may refer to a minimum value of the imaginary component differencesincluding information on the movement of non-interest and may be apositive real number.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine whether the imaginarycomponent difference d is greater than or equal to the second thresholdvalue d_(r2) for each pixel of the first imaginary image and the secondimaginary image. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 200 maydetermine a region in which the imaginary component difference d isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value d_(r2).

When the imaginary component difference d is smaller than the secondthreshold value d_(r2), movement corresponding to the imaginarycomponent difference d may not refer to large movement of non-interestenough to require reduction, and thus the image processing apparatus 200may terminate the process.

On the other hand, when the imaginary component difference d is greaterthan or equal to the second threshold value d_(r2), the movementcorresponding to the imaginary component difference d may refer to largemovement of non-interest that requires reduction. Therefore, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may apply a second weight α₂ to the secondimaginary component so that the imaginary component difference d isdecreased (S740).

As described above, the image processing apparatus 200 performs thedetermination of the imaginary component difference d for each pixel,the second weight α₂ may be applied to a region in which a differencewith the first imaginary image is greater than or equal to the secondthreshold value d_(r2) in the second imaginary image.

Finally, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate amovement-amplified image using the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the second weight α₂ is applied (S750). In theimage processing apparatus 200, the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the second weight α₂ is applied are sequentiallydisposed in the movement-amplified image, and thus an effect in whichthe movement of non-interest is reduced and the movement of interest isrelatively amplified may be represented.

FIG. 12 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, the ultrasonic probe P may collect ultrasonic signals reflectedfrom an object, that is, ultrasonic echo signals (S800). Particularly,when the ultrasonic probe P irradiates the object with ultrasonic wavesaccording to a predetermined frame rate, the ultrasonic echo signals maybe collected according to the predetermined frame rate corresponding tothe ultrasonic waves.

The image processing apparatus 200 may generate an ultrasonic imagecomposed of a plurality of frame images based on the collectedultrasonic echo signals (S810). As described above, when the ultrasonicprobe P collects the ultrasonic echo signals according to thepredetermined frame rate, the scan converter 221 of the image processingapparatus 200 may generate the plurality of frame images correspondingto the predetermined frame rate and may finally generate an ultrasonicimage in which the plurality of frame images are sequentially disposed.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine a pixel in which animaginary component in the generated ultrasonic image isnon-periodically changed for a predetermined time as a non-periodicregion (S820). As described above, movement in a normal state may beperiodic, and on the other hand movement in an abnormal state may benon-periodic. Since the non-periodic movement is important informationwhen ultrasonic diagnosis is performed on the object, there is a need toprovide that the non-periodic movement is amplified so that the user mayeasily determine the non-periodic movement.

Then, the image processing apparatus 200 may obtain a difference d_(nf)between a first imaginary component in a non-periodic region of a firstframe image included in the ultrasonic image and a second imaginarycomponent in a non-periodic region of a second frame image adjacent tothe first frame image (S830). Specifically, the image processingapparatus 200 may obtain the imaginary component difference d_(nf) foreach pixel between a non-periodic region of a first imaginary imagecomposed of the first imaginary components of the first frame image anda non-periodic region of a second imaginary image composed of the secondimaginary components of the second frame image.

The image processing apparatus 200 obtains the imaginary componentdifference d_(nf) in the non-periodic region, and then may determinewhether the imaginary component difference d_(nf) in the non-periodicregion is less than or equal to a first threshold value d_(r1) (S840).Here, the first threshold value d_(r1) may refer to a maximum value ofthe imaginary component differences including information on themovement of interest to be amplified and may be a positive real number.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine whether the imaginarycomponent difference d_(nf) in the non-periodic region is less than orequal to the first threshold value d_(r1) for each pixel of the firstimaginary image and the second imaginary image. Therefore, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may determine a region in which the imaginarycomponent difference d_(nf) in the non-periodic region is less than orequal to the first threshold value d_(r1).

When the imaginary component difference d_(nf) in the non-periodicregion is greater than the first threshold value d_(r1), movementcorresponding to the imaginary component difference d_(nf) in thenon-periodic region may not refer to fine movement of interest enough torequire amplification, and thus the image processing apparatus 200 mayterminate the process.

On the other hand, when the imaginary component difference d_(nf) in thenon-periodic region is less than or equal to the first threshold valued_(r1), the movement corresponding to the imaginary component differenced_(nf) in the non-periodic region may refer to fine movement of interestthat requires amplification. Therefore, the image processing apparatus200 may apply a first weight α₁ to the second imaginary component sothat the imaginary component difference d_(nf) in the non-periodicregion is increased (S850).

As described above, when the image processing apparatus 200 performs thedetermination of imaginary component difference d_(nf) in thenon-periodic region for each pixel, the first weight α₁ may be appliedto a region in which a difference with the first imaginary image in thenon-periodic region of the second imaginary image is less than or equalto the first threshold value d_(r1).

Finally, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate amovement-amplified image using the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the first weight α₁ is applied (S860). In the imageprocessing apparatus 200, the first frame image and the second frameimage to which the first weight α₁ is applied are sequentially disposedin the movement-amplified image, and thus an effect in which themovement of interest is amplified and displayed may be represented.

Specifically, the image processing apparatus 200 amplifies movement ofinterest which is fine movement of non-periodic movement, and thus mayprovide the movement-amplified image capable of further easilydetermining the non-periodic movement by the user.

FIG. 13 is a detailed flowchart illustrating a method of controlling anultrasonic apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

First, the ultrasonic probe P may collect ultrasonic signals reflectedfrom an object, that is, ultrasonic echo signals (S900). Specifically,when the ultrasonic probe P irradiates the object with ultrasonic wavesaccording to a predetermined frame rate, the ultrasonic echo signals maybe collected according to the predetermined frame rate corresponding tothe ultrasonic waves.

The image processing apparatus 200 may generate an ultrasonic imagecomposed of a plurality of frame images based on the collectedultrasonic echo signals (S910). As described above, when the ultrasonicprobe P collects the ultrasonic echo signals according to thepredetermined frame rate, the scan converter 221 of the image processingapparatus 200 may generate the plurality of frame images correspondingto the predetermined frame rate and may finally generate an ultrasonicimage in which the plurality of frame images are sequentially disposed.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine a pixel in which animaginary component in the generated ultrasonic image is periodicallychanged for a predetermined time as a periodic region (S920). Asdescribed above, movement in a normal state may be periodic, and on theother hand movement in an abnormal state may be non-periodic. Since thenon-periodic movement is important information when ultrasonic diagnosisis performed on the object, there is a need to provide that the periodicmovement is reduced so that the user may easily determine thenon-periodic movement.

Then, the image processing apparatus 200 may obtain a difference d_(f)between a first imaginary component in a periodic region of a firstframe image included in the ultrasonic image and a second imaginarycomponent in a periodic region of a second frame image adjacent to thefirst frame image (S930). Specifically, the image processing apparatus200 may obtain the imaginary component difference d_(f) for each pixelbetween a periodic region of a first imaginary image composed of thefirst imaginary components of the first frame image and a periodicregion of a second imaginary image composed of the second imaginarycomponents of the second frame image.

The image processing apparatus 200 obtains the imaginary componentdifference d_(f) in the periodic region, and then may determine whetherthe imaginary component difference df in the periodic region is greaterthan or equal to a second threshold value d_(r2) (940). Here, the secondthreshold value d_(r2) may refer to a minimum value of the imaginarycomponent differences including information on the movement ofnon-interest to be reduced and may be a positive real number.

The image processing apparatus 200 may determine whether the imaginarycomponent difference d_(f) in the periodic region is greater than orequal to the second threshold value d_(r2) for each pixel of the firstimaginary image and the second imaginary image. As a result, the imageprocessing apparatus 200 may determine a region in which the imaginarycomponent difference d_(f) in the periodic region is greater than orequal to the second threshold value d_(r2).

When the imaginary component difference d_(f) in the periodic region issmaller than the second threshold value d_(r2), movement correspondingto the imaginary component difference d_(f) in the periodic region maynot refer to large movement of non-interest enough to require reduction,and thus the image processing apparatus 200 may terminate the process.

On the other hand, when the imaginary component difference d_(f) in theperiodic region is greater than or equal to the second threshold valued_(r2), the movement corresponding to the imaginary component differenced_(f) in the periodic region may refer to large movement of non-interestthat requires reduction. Therefore, the image processing apparatus 200may apply a second weight α₂ to the second imaginary component so thatthe imaginary component difference d_(f) in the periodic region isdecreased (S950).

As described above, when the image processing apparatus 200 performs thedetermination of the imaginary component difference d_(f) in theperiodic region for each pixel, the second weight α₂ may be applied to aregion in which a difference with the first imaginary image in theperiodic region of the second imaginary image is greater than or equalto the second threshold value d_(r2).

Finally, the image processing apparatus 200 may generate amovement-amplified image using the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the second weight α₂ is applied (S960). In theimage processing apparatus 200, the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the second weight α₂ is applied are sequentiallydisposed in the movement-amplified image, and thus an effect in whichthe movement of non-interest is reduced and the movement of interest isrelatively amplified may be represented.

Particularly, the image processing apparatus 200 reduces the movement ofnon-interest which is relatively large movement of the periodic movementso that the movement of interest of the non-periodic movement isrelatively amplified, and thus may provide the movement-amplified imagecapable of further easily determining the non-periodic movement by theuser.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the imageprocessing apparatus, and the ultrasonic apparatus including the sameand the method of controlling the same, fine movement of an object isamplified, and thus, a movement-amplified image capable of easilydetermining a change of the object can be provided. Therefore, theaccuracy of the ultrasonic diagnosis can be improved.

Particularly, non-periodic movement that represents an abnormal state ofthe object is amplified, and thus, the movement-amplified image capableof easily diagnosing the abnormal state of the object can be providedfor the user.

Although a few an exemplary embodiments have been shown and described,it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may bemade in these embodiments without departing from the spirit and thescope defined in the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical image processing apparatus, comprising:a weight applier configured to, when a difference between a firstimaginary component of a first frame image and a second imaginarycomponent of a second frame image, the second frame image being adjacentto the first frame image, is less than or equal to a first thresholdvalue, apply a first weight to the second imaginary component toincrease the difference; and an image generator configured to generate amovement-amplified image based on the first frame image and the secondframe image to which the first weight is applied so that a movement ofinterest corresponding to the increased difference is amplified.
 2. Themedical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein thedifference comprises a difference between a first imaginary component ofa first pixel at a first location on the first frame image, and a secondimaginary component of a second pixel at a second location on the secondframe image, wherein the first location corresponds with the secondlocation, and wherein the weight applier is configured to apply thefirst weight to the second imaginary component of the second pixel ifthe difference is less than or equal to the first threshold value. 3.The medical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a non-periodic region determiner configured to determine apixel having an imaginary component which is non-periodically changedfor a predetermined time as a non-periodic region, in an input image inwhich a plurality of frame images including the first frame image andthe second frame image are sequentially disposed, and wherein thenon-periodic region corresponds to a first non-periodic region in thefirst frame image and a second non-periodic region in the second frameimage, and when a difference between the first imaginary component inthe first non-periodic region and the second imaginary component in thesecond non-periodic region is less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue, the weight applier is configured to apply the first weight to thesecond imaginary component in the second non-periodic region.
 4. Themedical image processing apparatus medical image processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the difference comprises a differencebetween a first imaginary component of a first pixel at a first locationof the first frame image and a second imaginary component of a secondpixel at a second location of the second frame image, wherein the firstlocation corresponds to the second location, and wherein the weightapplier is configured to apply the first weight to the second imaginarycomponent of the second pixel if the difference is less than or equal tothe first threshold value.
 5. The medical image processing apparatusaccording to claim 3, further comprising a non-periodic regiondeterminer configured to determine a pixel in which the imaginarycomponent is non-periodically changed for a predetermined time as anon-periodic region, in an ultrasonic image, and wherein thenon-periodic region corresponds to a first non-periodic region in thefirst frame image and a second non-periodic region in the second frameimage, when a difference between the first imaginary component in thefirst non-periodic region and the second imaginary component in thesecond non-periodic region is less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue, the weight applier may be configured to apply the first weight tothe second imaginary component in the second non-periodic region.
 6. Themedical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: theweight applier is configured to apply a second weight to the secondimaginary component when the difference is greater than or equal to asecond threshold value to decrease the difference; and the imagegenerator is configured to generate the movement-amplified image basedon the first frame image and the second frame image to which the secondweight is applied so that the movement of non-interest corresponding tothe decreased difference is reduced.
 7. The medical image processingapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the difference comprises adifference between a first imaginary component of a first pixel at afirst location on the first frame image, and a second imaginarycomponent of a first pixel at a first location on the first frame image,wherein the first location corresponds with the second location, andwherein the weight applier is configured to apply the second weight tothe second imaginary component of the second pixel if the difference isgreater than or equal to the second threshold value.
 8. The medicalimage processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising aperiodic region determiner configured to determine a pixel in which theimaginary component is periodically changed for a predetermined time asa periodic region, in an ultrasonic image, and wherein the periodicregion corresponds to a first periodic region in the first frame imageand a second periodic region in the second frame image, when thedifference comprises a difference between a first imaginary component inthe first periodic region and a second imaginary component in the secondperiodic region, and the difference is greater than or equal to thesecond threshold value, the weight applier applies the second weight tothe second imaginary component in the second periodic region.
 9. Themedical image processing apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a sampler configured to sample the first imaginary componentof the first frame image and the second imaginary component of thesecond frame image according to a predetermined sampling rate.
 10. Themedical image processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein, when adifference between the sampled first imaginary component and the sampledsecond imaginary component is less than or equal to the first thresholdvalue, the weight applier is configured to apply a third weightcorresponding to the sampling rate to the sampled second imaginarycomponent to increase the difference, and wherein the image generator isconfigured to generate the movement-amplified image using the firstframe image, the second frame image to which the first weight isapplied, the sampled first frame image, and the sampled second frameimage to which the third weight is applied.